Growing up around the corner from the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Frisco, Texas, U.S. Women’s National Team attacker Jadyn Shaw dreamed of one day wearing the same crest as her heroes. When she took the short walk to the stadium to watch FC Dallas play, she never could have predicted the path she would take in the sport, the records and walls she would break on her journey to the USWNT.
Shaw, now 19, started playing soccer at the age of four, but approached the sport in a somewhat unique way, falling in love with the ball on a futsal court rather than a grass field. After honing his skills and vision in futsal, Shaw gradually shifted his focus to 11v11 from around the age of 12, representing both Solar Soccer Club and FC Dallas.
In July 2022, Shaw decided to retire from college soccer and continued down the path less traveled when she signed a professional contract with the San Diego Wave FC of the National Women’s Soccer League. Later that month, she made her professional debut at the age of 17, scoring a goal in that match. Shaw represented the United States at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup later that summer and was named the 2022 Chipotle U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year.
A dynamic and versatile attacker with great vision, Shaw earned her first call-up to the U.S. Women’s National Team in September 2023, made her USWNT debut the following month at age 18, and earned her first cap on October 26. He then scored a goal on October 29, earning his second cap in San Diego. In what felt like a full-circle moment, Shaw made his first start in his hometown of Frisco and scored the game-winning goal in America’s year-end victory over China on Dec. 5, 2023. Since then, she has made history. He became the first player in USWNT history to score in his first five starts and won the Golden Ball as the Most Valuable Player at the 2024 Concacaf World Gold Cup.
Beyond his statistical accomplishments, Shaw also made history as the first Vietnamese American to represent the USWNT. As U.S. Soccer celebrates Asian American and Pacific Islander Month, Shaw’s background blends her Vietnamese heritage from her mother and her African American heritage from her father, and her infectious personality This added depth, combined with her dynamic skills, quickly propelled her to the top. A fan favorite of club and national team.
“Being the first Vietnamese-American on the U.S. Women’s National Team is an absolute honor. I think it’s an honor in itself to represent this uniform, but to be able to represent so much more is a true honor for America. It’s a great opportunity,” Shaw said. Inspiring little girls who may have a similar heritage to me motivates me to work hard to succeed. ”
Although Shaw’s journey on the world stage is just beginning, she has already established herself as a trailblazer, representing a growing wave of dynamic, diverse, and inclusive young talent across the American soccer ecosystem. We have established ourselves as a person.
